Mother Is Sicker By Day But No Diagnosis

Can anyone tell me what kind of tests I should make sure my mother's doctor is performing so that we KNOW that she doesn't have spinal cancer?  She has been in extreme pain for the last 2 months and symptoms include marked weight loss, pain in abdomen (they've done every diagnostic associated with abdomen and pelvis - nothing found) bladder pain, loss of bladder sensation, intermittent dysphagia, severe headaches, loss of sensation in legs and lower extremities and thoracic and lumbar back pain. Pain medication seems to do almost nothing for her and the pain is markedly worse in the morning.  In the last week, they've finally figured out that there's a problem with her back and MRI of lower back shows bulging disc and spinal stenosis - she's had back problems for years but it usually improved with rest & anti-inflammatory medication.  Cat scan of brain was normal, so no tumor or stroke.  Her doc (a internal med. specialist) says bladder problem may or may not be related to disc problem.  I'm still worried that this is a tumor / metastized cancer and for the life of me cannot figure out why they wouldn't do an MRI of the whole spine??!!! Aren't there enough symptoms to warrant a check of these things?  I'm very suspicious of doctor - really doesn't seem to care at all and frankly, the hospital as well.  My mother is poor, on Medicaid...would they possibly NOT order diagnostics because of this?  They seem really dismissive which is so infuriating - she's certainly not faking the pain.   I hate to be sarcastic but am truly puzzled.  Her quality of life is absolutely terrible and I'm afraid that I'm watching her die before my eyes.  I don't want to look back at this time and hate myself for not doing more.  Any help or advice would be great

 

On 10/18/2007 LisGib wrote:

Can anyone tell me what kind of tests I should make sure my mother's doctor is performing so that we KNOW that she doesn't have spinal cancer?  She has been in extreme pain for the last 2 months and symptoms include marked weight loss, pain in abdomen (they've done every diagnostic associated with abdomen and pelvis - nothing found) bladder pain, loss of bladder sensation, intermittent dysphagia, severe headaches, loss of sensation in legs and lower extremities and thoracic and lumbar back pain. Pain medication seems to do almost nothing for her and the pain is markedly worse in the morning.  In the last week, they've finally figured out that there's a problem with her back and MRI of lower back shows bulging disc and spinal stenosis - she's had back problems for years but it usually improved with rest & anti-inflammatory medication.  Cat scan of brain was normal, so no tumor or stroke.  Her doc (a internal med. specialist) says bladder problem may or may not be related to disc problem.  I'm still worried that this is a tumor / metastized cancer and for the life of me cannot figure out why they wouldn't do an MRI of the whole spine??!!! Aren't there enough symptoms to warrant a check of these things?  I'm very suspicious of doctor - really doesn't seem to care at all and frankly, the hospital as well.  My mother is poor, on Medicaid...would they possibly NOT order diagnostics because of this?  They seem really dismissive which is so infuriating - she's certainly not faking the pain.   I hate to be sarcastic but am truly puzzled.  Her quality of life is absolutely terrible and I'm afraid that I'm watching her die before my eyes.  I don't want to look back at this time and hate myself for not doing more.  Any help or advice would be great

Call the Mayo Clinic and ask if they accept Medicade.  That's the world's best diagnostic center.  There are 3 in the U.S.:  Jacksonville Florida, Rochester Minnisota and somewhere in Arizona.  Borrow or get copies of all her film, scans and medical records.  They will need them.  Tell her doctor you want a second opinion.  A good doctor will welcome a 2nd opinion.

Good Luck

Atlanta   

 

Reading about your Mother reminds me of Michael Moore's movie.."SICKO" I watched it yesterday and it made me thank God that I live in Canada. My husband has a rare form of lung cancer and we have not had to pay a cent for some excellent specialits and hospital care. I wish you the best of luck and my heart goes out to you.
Anne Marie